Residents and visitors in Decatur can take a walk down Main Street during the 31st annual Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes Friday and Saturday, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The tour showcases the neighborhoods along Decatur’s downtown streets and attracts visitors from around the area to experience the history and tradition of the community during the Christmas season.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at 17 Steps, Oakhurst Market, Intown Ace Hardware or the Decatur’s Visitor Center for $20 per person. Tickets purchased the night of the event are $25 per person.

Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne said the tour is setup to be walkable and diverse.

“Our goal is to try and get different styles of homes involved,” she said. “It’s not just all about big homes — we showcase condominiums, smaller houses and historical landmarks in the city because Decatur is a place of diversity.” This year’s tour features seven homes as well as the Decatur Recreation Center and Sq/Ft, a local boutique.

First-time participants Teresa Dau and Amanda McMillan, who live in a renovated bungalow on 129 N. Candler St., said they were excited to be asked to be a part of the event.

They said the holidays were special to them not only because it gives them the chance to decorate their new home, but also because this is their daughter’s first Christmas. “Spending time with family is definitely our favorite part of the holidays,” Dau said.

After checking out the homes on the tour, attendees can view shops in town that are decorated, too. “The downtown square is full of cool stores and we really enjoy the family atmosphere and being involved in events like this,” said Melissa Moore, co-owner of Sq/Ft.

She said the businesses also enjoyed being a part of Terrific Thursdays, an event that encourages stores to extend their hours for the holidays.

The tour, which will run from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. both nights, benefits local charities including the Mary Miller Decatur Youth Fund, the Decatur Education Foundation and the Wylde Center.

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